Intersections and crosswalks are some of the busiest and most dangerous spots on California roads. With both vehicles and pedestrians using these areas, accidents are unfortunately common. To improve safety, California introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 413, also called the “daylighting” law. If you’ve been injured in a crosswalk or intersection accident, contact Maison Law for a free consultation today.
What is California’s New “Daylighting” Law?
Like any law, the California legislature passed AB 413 with safety in mind. Specifically, AB 413 made changes to the approach of a crosswalk by making it illegal to:
- Park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, whether it’s marked or unmarked.
- Park within 15 feet of a crosswalk that has a curb extension.
The idea behind the new law is that by clearing the area around a crosswalk, it makes it easier for both driver and pedestrian. For a driver, they don’t have to worry about either getting around a parked car at a crosswalk, and it clears sightlines for pedestrians, making it easier for them to see an oncoming car. But unfortunately, just because there’s a law in place doesn’t prevent accidents from happening.
How Do Most Car Accidents Happen at Crosswalks or Intersections?
Given the various causes of car accidents at a crosswalk, laws like AB 413 can help–but not totally prevent–accidents. Clearing the area of parked cars is a good start, but most of the time, an accident at a crosswalk or intersection is going to be caused by:
- Distracted driving – When drivers aren’t paying attention–like looking at their phone or eating–they might not see people crossing the street or notice a stop sign. This can lead to accidents in seconds.
- Speeding – Driving too fast makes it hard to stop in time if a person is crossing or a car suddenly stops. At intersections, speeding often causes drivers to run red lights or stop signs, leading to crashes.
- Not yielding – Some drivers don’t stop for people crossing the road, even when they’re supposed to. This can happen at crosswalks or when turning at intersections, putting pedestrians in danger.
- Driving while impaired – Alcohol or drugs make it harder for drivers to see clearly or react quickly. They might miss traffic lights, pedestrians, or other cars, causing serious accidents.
Even with laws like AB 413 aiming to improve pedestrian safety, it can’t stop accidents in the moment when certain risky behaviors taken by pedestrians happen, like:
- Crossing in unsafe locations – If you cross where there’s no crosswalk, drivers aren’t expecting you to be there. Even with safety laws, this increases the risk of being hit.
- Ignoring signs – Walking against a red light or crossing before the “walk” sign lights up can catch drivers off guard, leading to accidents that no law can prevent in real time.
- Darting into the street – Suddenly running or stepping into traffic doesn’t give drivers enough time to react, making an accident almost unavoidable, no matter what safety measures are in place.
Even if you were partly to blame for the accident, California law still lets you file a claim. However, the amount of financial support you can get will be reduced based on how much of the accident was your fault. That’s why it’s so important to take the right steps after the accident–like calling 911 and getting help from an experienced lawyer–to protect your chance to get a fair settlement.
Contact Maison Law After a Crosswalk Accident in California
Whether you’re a driver or pedestrian, a crosswalk accident in California can be overwhelming–even with laws like AB 413. Coping with injuries is never easy, but you don’t have to handle it alone. At Maison Law, our team is here to support you every step of the way. We’ll fight to protect your rights, guide you through the claims process, and build a strong case for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you move forward.
